Justin Adian: Strangers

Justin Adian presents new work for his UK debut. Adian, who is Texas-born and based in New York, is known for his minimal compositions of canvasses stretched over ester foam to create abstract, shaped paintings which protrude from the supporting wall. Playfully titling the works, Adian alludes to the narratives he has associates with them. “[I think of] the pieces as participants in the same activity… like patients in a lobby waiting for the therapist…they all need to talk, but say different things” - Justin Adian. Strangers is Aidan’s reflection on his relationship to the works, noting the change in his pieces one they have left the familial environment of his studio and ventured into the world. Adian’s work reflects his interest those “artists who had to answer to calls for the death of painting,” such as Fred Sandback, Dan Flavin, Eva Hesse, Mel Bochner and Richard Tuttle. He also mentions the work of Richard Prince, who was one of Adian’s earliest supporters.